Real estate in Spain is an investment-attractive asset that, with the right approach, will skyrocket in value and generate high rental income. The main thing the buyer should pay attention to when looking for a residential unit is the location. Although this sunny country is generally a successful tourist destination, some of its cities are more popular than others.
Below is a ranking of the top seven locations for buying villas or apartments in Spain. The list is based on up-to-date return on investment (ROI) data as of June of the current year.
Content:
- Gandia, Valencia
- Aguilas, Murcia
- La Manga del Mar Menor, Murcia
- Santa Pola, Alicante
- Vera, Almeria
- Laredo, Cantabria
- Sagunto, Valencia
Gandia, Valencia
First place, in the ranking of locations with the highest return on investment in real estate in Spain, is occupied by Gandia, a municipality in the province of Valencia with an average ROI of 11.5%. About 80,000 people live in this coastal city, although the population increases significantly in July and August. Most of the tourists who come here are Spaniards from the interior of the country, namely Madrid. Some of them own beach houses where they stay throughout the summer.
Gandia is a lively municipality with schools, hospitals, shops, offices, restaurants, and other important infrastructure. The tree-lined Paseo (a mini-version of Barcelona's Ramblas) runs through the city, from which the beautiful Calle Mejor branches off, with hundreds of boutiques. On the outskirts, you can find a shopping centre, supermarkets, and a number of warehouse-type stores.
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Aguilas, Murcia
Aguilas is a municipality and seaport in the southeast of Spain, located in the province of Murcia. It is second in the rankings due to an average ROI of 10.9%. Despite being a small town, it offers numerous amenities typical of metropolitan areas. Aguilas attracts tourists with the following advantages:
- a long promenade where you can stroll and relax, listening to the sound of the sea;
- a shopping centre with a wide range of stores offering goods by local and international brands;
- The El Hornillo cinema;
- The Aguilas carnival, which takes place every February and attracts Spaniards from all over the country thanks to the live music, delicious food, and entertainment.
La Manga del Mar Menor, Murcia
Third place in our ranking is occupied by La Manga del Mar Menor, or simply La Manga, with an ROI of 10.8%. This sandy spit, located in the territory of Murcia, is a major sport and recreational resort. Spanish and foreign tourists come here for the sailing and ski schools that provide training classes, as well as for windsurfing, catamaran and canoeing. The nearby city of Los Belones is home to the La Manga Stadium, which plays host to many worldwide football clubs during the winter months.
Along the coast of the Mar Menor stretches miles of stunning sandy beaches. As these beaches are in high demand among tourists, the Spanish government ensures that they offer first-class upmarket amenities for recreation throughout the year. A sand bar separates Mar Menor, one of the largest salt lagoons in Europe, from the Mediterranean Sea.
Santa Pola, Alicante
Santa Pola, a Spanish municipality in the province of Alicante, ranks fourth with an average ROI of 10.2%. The city is a 15-minute drive from the international airport and offers 15 kilometres of beautiful sandy beaches. In ancient times, it was the port of Elche, where one of the largest fishing fleets in the entire Mediterranean was based. At present, the local economy is based on the tourism industry.
The municipality offers the following interesting options for tourists:
- Unique locations, such as Salinas (salt marshes). The exploitation of salt marshes in Santa Pola began at the end of the 19th century. They stretched over an area of 880 hectares, on which approx. 100,000 tons of salt were produced annually. Today, the area is a nature reserve, home to numerous varieties of birds, including flamingos and gulls.
- Lounge areas. Inside Santa Pola (in the old city centre), various recreational areas can be found, including Palm Grove and Glorieta parks.
- Architecture. The city has majestic buildings such as the Renaissance fortress and Ayuntamiento, located near the Santa Pola area and famous for its nightlife.
- Local cuisine. The municipality has always been closely connected to the sea, so you can taste a lot of fresh fish and seafood dishes here. The famous local lobster stew, "caldereta de langosta", deserves special attention.
Vera, Almeria
The fifth place in our ranking goes to Vera, a municipality in the province of Almeria (average ROI 9.4%), divided into two sections:
- Vera Pueblo is a thriving village located 6 kilometres from the coast. It’s full of shops and restaurants offering popular Spanish dishes and snacks, namely tapas (small plates of traditional dishes and delicacies).
- Playas de Vera. As the name suggests, it’s located along the coast and offers a wide range of leisure and recreation facilities: large golf courses with clubhouses, a water park, shops and, of course, white sandy beaches, tall palm trees and sparkling sea.
Here you can find numerous significant architectural landmarks, buy souvenir handicrafts, and get acquainted with the local folklore. You can study the history of the region in the local ethnographic and archaeological museums. Vera is also known for its holidays. The Plaza de Toros (bullring), built in 1879, is a popular venue for bullfighting and other cultural events.
Laredo, Cantabria
Laredo, located between the Treto River and the Gulf of Santoña, is one of the main tourist destinations in the province of Cantabria and ranks sixth. It offers property owners an average ROI of 9%. The city is in La Salve - a huge stretch of sand with a length of about 5 kilometres. This is one of the largest and most beautiful beaches in the region.
The municipality consists of three zones: the old village and its surroundings, the new suburbs area, and avenues stretching towards El Puntal. In 1970, the first zone was declared historical, with artistic monuments. It has old settlements, preserving the ruins of medieval buildings. The village consists of a network of small streets lined with stately houses built between the 16th and 18th centuries. In the highest part of this area is the Gothic parish church of Santa Maria de la Asuncion.
The area of new suburbs extends to Plaza de Carlos V. It’s currently the commercial and administrative centre of Laredo. Finally, between Plaza de Carlos V and El Puntal, you will find three large avenues running parallel to one another and surrounded by two city beaches.
Sagunto, Valencia
The last, seventh place in the ranking of the best locations for purchasing an apartment or villa in Spain, is occupied by Sagunto, a city in the province of Valencia. Local residential real estate provides an ROI of 9%. Sagunto is known for its numerous archaeological sites that attract tourists. Valencia International Airport is just 35 km from the municipality.
Walking the streets of Sagunto is an opportunity to travel back in time. The old town and historic centre are a series of cobbled streets where you can get lost enjoying the architectural masterpieces of a bygone era.
The city also has long beaches. The best way to get acquainted with the local coast is to cycle, as the length of the territory is 13 km. The busiest beach is Playa del Puerto de Sagunto. Those who love a quiet environment should visit Playa de Almarda, and can enjoy the picturesque Spanish nature at Playa Malvarrosa.
